Kristen Remenar

Librarian’s Corner: Families in Change

Families go through all kinds of transformations, but one of the hardest family changes for kids is divorce. There are a number of “bibliotherapy” books designed to help children talk about their feelings, but what my own kids found (and still find) most helpful are the well-written stories showing characters dealing with the sorts of… Read more »

FAQ: Why Read Wordless Books?

If we’re trying to help our kids learn to read, why read wordless picture books? Isn’t reading all about letters and words? Yes and no. Reading is: to inspect and apprehend the meaning of writing or other signs or characters. (Thanks, dictionary.com based on the Random House dictionary!) So, reading a book means gaining meaning… Read more »

Recommended Graphic Novels, Part 2

Graphic novels are perfect for summer reading. Some kids (and parents) gasp when I say that graphic novels and comic books “count” for reading just as much as words-only books do. Of course they do! Open up a graphic novel like The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by Eleanor Davis and you’ll find… Read more »

Recommended Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are perfect for summer reading. Some kids (and parents) gasp when I say that graphic novels and comic books “count” for reading just as much as words-only books do. Of course they do! Open up a graphic novel like Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spires and you’ll find rich vocabulary, an enticing… Read more »

FAQ: How do I get my kids to choose nonfiction for pleasure reading?

I’ve heard several arguments for why children should be reading more nonfiction, most of them concerning improving school performance and raising academic test scores. While these are admirable goals, it makes reading nonfiction sound akin to eating vegetables.  My biggest reason for why kids should read nonfiction is: there are some engaging, interesting nonfiction books… Read more »

Recommended Biographies (Part 2)

Biographies are more than just books kids “have to” read for a school assignment.  Good biographies show us how people’s lives in other times and places can be so different than ours, and yet still give us the sense that we all share common experiences. They can inspire us to live lives larger than we… Read more »

Recommended Biographies

Biographies are more than just books kids “have to” read for a school assignment.  Good biographies show us how people’s lives in other times and places can be so different than ours, and yet still give us the sense that we all share common experiences. They can inspire us to live lives larger than we… Read more »